Former Inpex boss Stuart Knowles picked as interim Territory Coordinator

Minister Maley announced consultation has opened on the Territory Coordinator’s proposed exemption powers, with a long term local tasked with the top job.

Interim Territory Coordinator Stuart Knowles.

The government has announced former NT Inpex general manager Stuart Knowles as interim Territory Coordinator, as it opens public consultation on the role promising to “redefine the way business is done in the Northern Territory”.

Proposed powers to exempt major projects from certain checks and balances have already received strong criticism from some onlookers concerned about environmental safeguards being cut for the sake of the “primary principal” economic growth.

So there was no small amount of comedic irony to Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley’s slip of the tongue at a Thursday press conference: “This is not about cutting red tape, this is about cutting corners … not about cutting red corners … I want to really point out this is not about cutting red tape.”

The Chief Minister, who ran off camera giggling, gave her trusted second in command some timely advice: “stop, just don’t say it, move on!”

Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley made a comedic slip at Thursday's press conference. Picture: Fia Walsh.

The Territory Coordinator will be an independent statutory officer, tasked with streamlining coordination for projects of significance.

“This economic reform will be the most widely consulted on piece of game-changing legislation in a decade,” Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said.

“Not only have we put out a public discussion paper to help inform the draft Bill, the next three months will be spent consulting and refining the draft Bill so it is ready for introduction in the February 2025 sittings of parliament.

“The draft Bill will then be referred to the Legislative Scrutiny Committee for additional oversight before coming before parliament in March for debate.

“Consultation on the draft Bill is open to all Territorians and I encourage them to have their say on this important reform.”

Key features of the Bill include:

• The ‘Primary Principle’ of economic growth provides an overarching guide for use of all powers;
• The ability to request information or direct a public entity to co-ordinate actions with other public entities;
• Undertake public consultation regarding significant projects, program of works and Territory Development Area;
• Limitations to the exercise of powers and parliamentary oversight including disallowance;
• Limited exemption powers specific to significant projects, program of works and Territory Development Area;
• Prioritisation, progression, decision making time frames and step-in processes.

Mr Knowles is a long-time Territorian with a background in the armed forces and the transportation sector.

He worked with the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet prior to joining Inpex as compliance approvals manager in 2014.

He was promoted to Inpex NT general manager in 2023, only to announce his shock resignation from the role in February this year.

Mr Knowles then joined Scyne Advisory as the managing director Northern Territory.

Originally published as Former Inpex boss Stuart Knowles picked as interim Territory Coordinator